Punched card sorting machine



Nov. 23, 1948. K. J. BRAUN 2,454,628

FUNCHED CARD SORTIHG MACHINE 8 Sheets-:Sheet 2 lP iled Nov. 25, 1944 IN VEN TOR. Karl J. Enum,

MKM

HTTURNEY.

Nov. 23, 1948. K. .1. BRAUN PUNCHED CARD SQRTING CHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 25, 1944 Www-.

INVENTOIL Kar/.l Braun,

H TTORNE Y K. J. BRAUN Nov. .23; 1948.

8 Sheets-Sheet 4 PUNCHED CARD SORTING MACHINE i Filed Nov. 25, 1944 INVENTOA EaziJ. Braun,

HTTORNEY.

K. J. BRAUN Nov. 23, 1948'.

PUNCBED CARD SORTING HACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 25, 1944 INVENTOR. Karl J. Braan,- n MM HTTORNEY Nov. 23, 1948. K. J. BRAUN 2,454,628

A CARD SORTING CHINE Y Filed Nov. 25. 1944 8 Sheds-Shut 6 INVENTOR. Karl l 31111411,

Mam..

HTTORNEY` Ivy. 7

l K. J. BRAUN Nov. 23, 1948.

IUNCHBD CARD SORTING CHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet -7 Filed Nov. 25, 1944 Y m@ n 5 E n `Qi y JNVENTOA Kad J. Braam,

HTTORNEY Nav. 23, K. J. BRAUN 2,454,523

runcmsn om somme ucnxna F11 Nov- 25. 1954 a sheets-sheet a IN VEN TOR. Karl J Braun,

HT TORNE Y Patented Nov. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUNCHED CARD soR'rING Macnmn Karl J. Braun, Merrick, N. Y., assignor to Control Instrument Company, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a `corporation of New York Application November 25, 1944, Serial No. 565,108

' 22 claims. (ol. zoe-11o) This invention relates to improvements in sorting machines and has particular reference to a It is well known that, in machines of this character, pockets are arranged at varying distances from the sensing means where the cards are analyzed as they are fed thereto and that, by this analysis, said means selectively controls the distribution of said cards into the various Dockets in timed relation to the movement of the cards from the sensing means. This has been accomplished both electrically and mechanically and, in the latter method, it has been the customary practice to sense the cards column-wise for index point perforations therein, and then distribute them into pockets corresponding to said perforations by the provision, at each pocket, of a timing mechanism operable under the control of the sensing means to open the pocket for which a card is destined as it approaches said pocket.

According -to the present invention it is proposed to provide a machine embodying features of simplicity of construction and rapidity in the sensing and sorting of cards wherein a single timing and distribution control unit is provided with a plurality of actuating members each individual to a card indexpoint and operable by the sensing of the perforation at one of said points to control the opening of the pocket intended to receive the card having said perforation therein; and further, in which said actuating members are periodically positioned in operative association with a sensing mechanism having means responsive to a sensed perforation in a card to select the actuating member individual to said perforation to thereby control the opening of the pocket for which said card is destined.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receivlng a variety o mechanical expressions one of which, for purposes of illustration, is shown in the accompanying drawings; but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are employed only to facilitate the description of the invention as a whole and not to define the limits thereof, reference being had to 'the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the sorter constructed in accordance with the invention. y

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the sensin unit partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmeirltary longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line I-I of Fig. 3 showing the card feeding mechanism.

Flg. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away and showing the timing and distributing mechanism disposed on the opposite side of the machine from Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a transverse section taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view of the sensing unit, including the columnaradjusting mechanism for the sensing wheel of said unit.

Fig. 9 vis an expanded fragmentary isometric view of the timing and distributing mechanism.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view illustrating the mechanism for controlling the card-receiving pockets, and

Fig. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section showing a portion of the card-conveying means, and illustrating the manner in which cards are transmitted over Iand into the various pockets ofthe machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral indicates the supporting framework of the machine from the horizontal portions 26 of which is suspended the prime mover 2l utilized lto drive the main shaft 2d through the transmission indicated at 29.

Generally, a sorting operation consists in placing -a stack of punched cards in the feed magazine 30 supported between side plates 3l at the right hand end of the machine, as view in Fig'. 1. Before starting the motor 2l, the operator turns the crank 32 in the proper direction to effect a columnar adjustment of the rotating disc or wheel 33 of the sensing unit A so that the desired index column of the cards in the magazine will be analyzed during their transitory movement beneath said unit. A reciprocating mechanism B operates to Vfeed'the bottom cards of the stack from Said magazine to the sensing unit and, in accordance with the analysis of said cards at the sensing position, a timing and distributing mechanism C is controlled to distribute the cards at various stations which are in the form of pockets 34 to 45 ar ranged horizontally along the portions 26 of the main frame and provided with the back closure plate 45. The first eleven of these pockets extending from the sensing unit receive, respectively, cards Whose index points 11, 0, l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 in any column thereof are punched, while the twelfth pocket 45 is adapted to receive the re ject cards. After analysis by the unit A, the cards are received by the endless conveyor system D and carried along until each card approaches the pocket for which it i's destined, at which time the mechanism C; in which a selective operation has taken place under control of the sensing unit, operates to open said pocket to permit entry of the card. Any card not sensed by the unit A or which does not contain a punched index point in the column thereof being analyzed, is carried by the conveyor system D to the reject pocket 45. The various pockets are formed by the vertical Walls or partitions 46 in each of which is disposed a horizontal card supporting platform 41. A rod i8 depends from each platform and extends downwardly through a channeled guide 49 supported by rods 49' with the lower end of said rod 48 connected to said guide by a coil spring 50 that normally urges the platform 41 upwardly and is of such tension that said platform will gradually lower as the weight of the cards in its pocket increases.

The conveyor system D is driven from the main shaft 28 by a worm gear 5| thereon meshing with ,the large gear 52 carried by one end of the transverse shaft 53 supporting the two grooved pulleys 54 about which extend the two flexible conveyor belts 55.' Other pulleys 56, around which the belts 55 also travel, are supported at the far end of the machine on an idler shaft 51 adjustably journaled in the blocks 58 so as to provide for proper adjustment of the tension of said belts. At regularly spaced intervals, lthe belts are provided with cardpushing elemen-ts in the form of lugs 59 engageable in notches 60 formed in the pulleys 54 and 56 so as to be driven thereby, and the spacing of said lugs is such that each opposed pair on the two belts will engage the following or rear edge of a card 6| as it is delivered from the sensing position, and will thus carry said card along and over the pockets until its proper destination lis reached.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that as the cards 6| are fed from the magazine 30 and continuously through thesensing position to the conveyor D, they are successively engaged between pairs of feed rollers 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 driven fro-m the main shaft 28 bythe worm gears 61 to 1|, respectively. The upper roller 62 of the pair adjacent the magazine is positively driven by providing the opposite end of the shaft 12 from that on which the worm gear 61 is carried (Fig. with a spur gear 13 which meshes with a similar gear 14 on the shaft 15 of said upper roller. The lat-ter shaft has a slight vertical play and is supported by arms 16 pivoted on the opposed side plate 3| and to which is connected the springs 11 for exerting downward pressure on the upper roller. The lower rollers 63 and 64 at the sensing position are positively driven Vby their gears 68 and B9, while the upper rollers are bracketed (Fig. 2) and urged downwardly by a spring 18 connected to one end of a pivoted link 19 the other end of which is joined to the bracket for said upper rollers. The upper roller of the pair 65, Ithe lower one of which is driven from the gear 10, has its shaft 80 (Figs. 5 and 6) carried by pivoted arms 8| on the side plates 3| and has a slight vertical movement the same as the upper roller 62. On the opposite sides of their pivots, the arms 8| are connected to springs 82 which exert downward pressure upon said upper roller 65 so as to maintain it in engagement with the associated lower roller. The gear 1| of the lower roller of the pair 66 is driven by the same gear 5| on themain shaft which drives the conveyor system D through the gear 52, while the upper roller of said pair 66is carried at one end of a pivoted arm 83' (Fig. 3) and urged' downwardly into contact with its lower roller by the spring 84 connected to the other end of said arm.

The sensing unit A is continuously driven from the worm gear 85 on the main shaft, which gear meshes with the worm wheel 86 carried by the shaft 8 1 of said unit. Also mounted on said shaft 81 is a spur gear 88 that drives the larger gear 89 secured on the shaft 90 that extends transversely through the side plates 3|. and forms a common mounting for units of the ytiming and distributing mechanism generally indicated at C. The gear ratios are such that the sensing unit A will make three revolutions for each one of the timing unit of the mechanism C and. as will later appear, will sense four cards during each revolu-tion; therefore, twelve cards will be analyzed and the distribution thereof controlled during each complete rotation of the timing unit.

The apertured bottom 9| of the magazine 30 is provided at the feeding end of the magazine with an upwardly and forwardly inclined guide plate 92 engaged by the center portion of the card as it is advanced and with which cooperates a vertically adjustable throat plate 98 to form a micrometer slot 94- through which only the lowermost card will pass upon each operation of the feed mechanism B.

This feed mechanism is of the reciprocating type and, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a sliding face plate 95 upon a portion of which rests the lowermost card in a stack preparatory -to the card being fed to the posi-tively driven feed rollers 62. Said face plate 95 is supported by the block 96 movable between parallel guides 81 and carrying the picker knife 98 which, upon each forward movement of the block, engages the rear edge of only the lower-most card in the magazine and feeds the same through the slot 9'4 and between the rollers 62 for advancement to the sensing position beneath the unit A. To reciprocate vthe knife 98, a pitman 99 is connected tothe shaft 12 which vdrives the lower roller 62, and said pitman is joined to and oscillates the rocker shaft |00 through the link |0|. Rocker arm |02 secured on said shaft |00 has its upper end connected -to the sliding block 96 by a link |83 so that said block is reciprocated to successively feed the cards from the magazine.

Sensing unit Each analyzing operation of this unit during a revolution thereof performs the dual function of,

sponse of the mechanism C is prevented until anl rst, detecting the presence or absence of a card at the sensing position and, second, of accomplishing the selecting operation in accordance with the valuation and position Yof a punched index point on a card. to which operation the timing and distributing mechanism C is responsive and is so controlled, as will hereinafter appear. -that the sensed card will be directed to its proper pocket. At the beginning of each sensing operation if a card is not in proper position to be analyzed, this fact is detected by the unit A and any subsequent Iselective operation and consequent reother `card is in proper position to be sensed. Also, it will be understood that any improperly positioned card or a card whose c-olumn being sensed contains no punched index point will, should'it be passed through the sensing position, be conveyed to the reject pocket 45.

As previously stated, the unit A comprises shaft 81 driven from the main shaft 28 by the worm gear thereon meshing with the worm wheel 85 Aincluding one detector slide enlaces4 xed on one end of said shaft 81. The sensing f wheel 33 of said unit is adjustable along the latter shaft and is provided with a hub keyed on the shaft 81 for sliding movement thereon when a columnar adjustment of the wheel is effected, as will later appear. The peripheral portion of said wheel 33 has mounted therein a plurality of equally spaced groups of radially extending, spring pressed sensing pins |05. The springs of said pins normally urge the outer ends thereof beyond the periphery of the wheel and yieldingly permit said pins to move inwardly when they contact a card at the sensing position, which contact occurs when the pins ilnd unpunched index points in the column of the card being sensed. Each of the four groups consists of twelve pins. the rst of which to reach the sensing position, as the wheel 33 rotates, being the detector pin indicated at |05, while the succeeding ones of the group are each 4in dlvidual to one of the index point positions on a card as the latter progresses beneath said wheel. As will presently be described, the engagement of a pin with an unperiorated index point, and its consequent inward movement on the wheel 33, prevents a selective operation in the mechanism C by the unit A, while the passage of the pin through a perforated index point results in a selective operation by means of which said mechanism C will control the deposit of the card being sensed into the pocket assigned to the perforated index point position, when a straight sorting operation is being performed.

Associated with each group of sensing pins and rotatable with the shaft 81 is a group of twelve selectively operated elements in the form of slides |01 and eleven selector slides |00, the slide |01 being individual to the detector pin |06 while the slides |08 are each individual to one of the pins |05 and to one of the eleven index points in a card column. The various slides are supported for limited linear movement in the rotating end discs |09 and I I0 carried adjacent opposite ends of lthe shaft 81 and said slides are guided 'in such m-ovement by an intermediate comb IIO. Said discs are formed with slots ||I that receive the reduced ends of the slides, and the outer longitudinal edge of each slide is provided with a plurality of pin-receiving notches IZ corresponding -to the number of columns in the cards. Each slide is constantly urged outwardly, or -to the left as viewed in Fig. 7, by a coil spring I|3 joining the slide with -the end disc |09, but is prevented from doing so by engagement with a stationary disc cam I I il until the.

slide reaches the sensing position. Should the detector pin |05, which is the rst of each group -to arrive at said position as the unit A is constantly rotated, fail to engage a card between its leading edge and the i'irst index point in the column being sensed, means are provided under the control of .the detector pin and its slide |01 Ifor locking all the other slides lili in the group a)gainst outward movement and a consequent selective operation in the timing unit of the mechanism C. To this end, the various selector slides |08 of each group are provided in their inner edges with normally circumferentially aligned recesses I I5 while the detector slide |0'I is provided with a recess I I6 which is normally offset linearly relative to the recesses I I 5. In this normal position, as shown in Figs. '1 and 8, a -spring pressed bail |I1`, pivoted Iat II8 to a rotating part of the sensing unit, has its free arcuate edge resting against the inner edge of the slide |01 adjacent the recess IIS therein, and'is thus prevented from entering the recesses I|5 oi s the selector slides with which said` edge oi the bail is aligned. However. should the detector pin |00 not engage a card at the sensing position in the manner above referred to. said pin will remain in its normally projected position on the wheel 08 and therefore its inner end will not enter a notch H2 in the detector slide |01. Consequently, the spring |I3 ofsaid slide will move it outwardly so 'that the reduced end thereofl will enter a cut away portion ||8 formed in the fixed cam ||4 in alignment with the sensing position. In so moving, the recess IIS of the detector slide becomes circumferentlally aligned with the recesses I i5 in the eleven other slides |08 and the spring of said bail II1- thereupon causes the edge of the latter t0 enter all of said recesses |I5, IIS to lock the selector slides |08 o! the group against outward or selective movement as said slides successively pass through the sensing position. The result of this locking action is that the mechanism C will be unaffected by the sensing of a perforated index point in the card which has initially entered the sensing position improperly. On the other hand, should the detector pin |05 engage a card at the point previously indicated, said pin will be forced inwardlyl into engagement with the aligned notch I I2 inthe detector slide |01 and will thus lock the latter against outward movement and thereby prevent its notch IIB from aligning with the notches IIb in the other slides, ythus maintaining the bail ||1 in its inoperative or non-locking posi-tion. When the inner end of a detector pin |05 is engaged in a notch I|2 in its slide lill to prevent outward movement of the latter suiiciently to align its notch IIS with the notches I I5 in the slides |00 and said slide |01 thereafter aligns itseli' with .the -cutout portion IIS of the cam IIII, the spring I I3 of said slide will urge the same outwardly a very slight distance, due to a small amount of lateral play of the detector pin |08 in its notch IIE, and thus bind the inner end of said pin in said notch with enough friction to prevent the free outward movement of said pin under the influence of its spring, and this same condition prevails with respect to the sensing pins |05 and their slides |08. This condition is maintained after the detector pin has passed its detecting position and until the last sensing pin |05 has had an opportunity to sense for a perforation in the last index point position of a card column to control its associated slide |08, whereupon the slightly projected outer ends or the slides |01 and ills contactl the upper portion of the cam surface |20 which then pushes the slides inwardly to thereby relieve the binding action of the slides on -their pins |05 and |06 which then restore to their normal projected positions preparatory to sensing a succeeding card. Therefore, during` the rotating movement of the selector slides through the sensing position, each will be free to execute a linearly selective movement or not, depending upon whether Ithe associated pin |05 nds a punched hole or engages an unpunched index point position. In the former event, the outer end of the pin will pass through the hole and the associated slide |08 will be free to move outwardly under the influence of its spring I I3 -to effect a selecting ope-ration in the timing unit of the mechanism C, while in the latter event said pin will be forced inwardly into locking engagement with its slide and no selective operation will be performed by the slide. In either event, after the slides |01 and |08 of a group have passed thesensing position, the projecting end of any slide which may have been linearly actuated will engage the in- 7 cllned surface |20 of the cam H4 and be forced inwardly thereby against the tension of its spring ||3 so that the sli-de will be restored to normal until it again reaches the sensing position. Should the detector slide |01 be projected, as above described, to effect the locking of all other slides in the group, it will, upon its return to normal by the cam ||4, force the bail ||1 out of the recess ||6 so that the locking edge of said bail will again be restored to its resting position on the inner edge of the slide |01 preparatory to the next detecting operation.

The columnar adjustment of the sensing wheel 33 and associated operations, best shown in Fig. 8, will now -be described. It is understood that said .adjustment is effected before starting a sorting which engage on opposite sides of said wheel 33.

Said block contacts the front wall |24 of the magazine 30 so that as the shaft |2| is rotated in either direction the block will move therealong and thus shift the wheel across the sensing position. The pitch of the shaft |2| is lsuchth'at one complete revolution thereof by the crank 32 will shift the block |22, and consequently the wheel 33, a distan-ce equal to the space between two adjacent columns on a card. An apertured indicator |25 carried by the block |22 moves over an index scale |26 to indicate the position of the sensing wheel with respect to the card columns. In order that the turning of the shaft |2| may be terminated at the conclusion of a complete revolution and the sensing wheel positioned directly over the desired card column, said shaft carries a cam roller |21 having a transverse groove |28 in its periphery in which a roller' |29 engages. The latter roller is carried by one end of a rocker arm |30 the other end of which is joined to a rocker shaft |3| by means of the link |32 and arm |33. A coil spring' |34 exerts a constant downward pull upon the arms |33 and |30 so that the roller |29 will be maintained in contact with the roller |21 and the groove |28 therein.

At the sensing position, there is mounted for vertical movement a card supporting plate |35 which, during sorting,is in its up position so as to maintain the cards passing thereover in operative association with the sensing pins. For the pur- -pose of permitting any pin which encounters a hole in a card to'pass completely therethrough and thus not be forced inwardly toward its locksuilciently to permit said pins to pass laterally thereover without contacting the side walls of any channel |36. To this end, the plate |35 is supported by .a bracket |31 linked to the rocker arms |33 fixed upon the rocker shaft |3I. vWith this arrangement, as the crank 32 is initially turned -to effect an adjustment of the wheel 33, the cam roller |21 will depress the roller |29 as the latter is disengaged from the groove |28, and the arm |30 is thus moved about its pivot to rock the shaft I3| inthe prope'r direction to depress the and consequent shifting of the wheel 33 the distance between two adjacent columns is effected, whereupon said 4roller |29 again enters the groove |28 under the influence of the spring |34, and the rocker arm then reverses its movement to raise the plate |35 to its operative position.

Timing unit This unit is selectively controlled from the sensing unit A by successive outward movements of the selector slides |08 of the various groups in the sensing unit when the sensing pins |05 individual to said slides encounter punched index points, as previously described. Such outward movements of the slides |08 are utilized to set up conditions in the timing unit which effect the opening of the proper pockets for receiving the sensed cards in timed relation to their movements from the sensing position.

said timing unit, which is boduy removable from its operative position, comprises a hub |39 (Fig. 7) keyed on the shaft 90 for positive drive of the unit. Secured to the inner end of said hub is a, circular plate |40 forming the back of the unit and joined to the front ring |4| thereof by a series of bolts |42 which also secure the inner ring plate |43 and the outer series of twelve segmental plates |44 inabutting relation with said members |40 and |4|, respectively. Twelve pairs of radially aligned and transversely disposed spacer combs |45 are arranged equi-distantly about and between the plates |43, |44, with their outer and inner edges recessed therein for support thereby. Associated with each pair of combs |45 is a group of eleven radially movable and spaced apart actuating members in the form of -cams |46. each individual to one of the eleven index point positions of a card and each consisty ing of a. cam head |41 (Figs. 5 and 9) provided with an opening |48 and having the reduced shank |49 extending inwardly therefrom and through aligned slots in the associated pair of comb-s |45. The cams |46l of the twelve groups are normally and yleldably held against outward movement by springs |50 and their inward movement is limited by engagement of the inner edges of the heads |41 with the adjacent outer comb |45. As the timing unit rotates in synchronism with the sensing unit A, each group of cams |43 is successively moved outwardly in a radial direction, as Will more clearly appear in the course of the description. This outward movement of the c ams brings them into operative association, at the sensing position, with the group of the selector slides then at said position for a selective operation by one of said slides in the event that the detector slide |01 of said group is not actuated because of the fact that the detector pin |08 engaged a card properly fed to the sensing position, as previously described. The selection of one of the cams |45 of the goup moving past the sensing position is dependent upon'the ac.

to one of the associated cams |46 and consequently to an index point of the card being sensed, and said latch is mounted for horizontal movements in the plates |43, |44, with the inner end of the latch normally'projecting beyond the plate |43 for actuation by one of the slides |08 and consequent selection of one of the cams |46, as will more fully lappear hereinafter. Each latch is provided with lugs |52 adjacent its extremities which limit the inward and outward sliding movements of the latch by contact with the plates |43 and |44, respectively, and is fur- Aadjacent side plate 3| and having a bearing |55 receiving the adjacent end of said shaft. Said bracket carries a stationary cam |56 which projects inwardly beneath the threel uppermost groups of movable cams |46 shown in Fig. 5. Said cam |56 is formed with angular surfaces |51, |58 and |59, best shown in Fig. 9, over which the inner ends of the cam shanks of said three uppermost groups of cams successively ride as each group approaches, passes through and recedes from the sensing position. The surface |51 forces the cams |46 of a group outwardly toward their selectable positions against the tension of the springs so that any one of the latches |5| will be free for outward movement to position its lug |53 in a plane with the opening |48 of its corresponding cam |46. The surface |58 maintains the cams |45 in such condition while passing through the sensing position, as in Figs. 7 and 9. The surface |59 permits said cams to recede inwardly toward their normal positionsunder the 'influence of their springs |50, with the exception of any cam of the group whose latch |5| has been selectively operated by the slide |08 individual thereto. instance, the lug .|53 of said latch is disposed in vertical alignment with its cam so that as the shank |49 of said cam leaves .the surface |58 and the cam attempts to recede, said lug |53 will be contacted by the outeredge of the cam opening |48, and the cam will thus be held in its projected or outward position to perform a distributing operation later to be described. Any cam that has thus been held inits operative position will remain so until it has performed its distributing function and is again approaching the sensing position toward the end of the complete revolution of the timing unit, at which time the outer ends of the latches of the group in which said cam |46 appears will sweep pass the stationary cam |60 carried by the vertical arm |6| attached to and forming a part of the bracket |54. This action occurs concurrently with the engagement of the shanks |49 of the cam group with the sur- In the latter face |51 cf the stationary cam |56 and before the.

l0 again be successively forced outwardly and maintained thus bythe surfaces |51 and |58 so that said cams will be in their selectable Vpositions preparatory to another selecting operation under" the control of the unit A.

Combined operation of sensing and timing units by the positive feed rollers 62, as the leading edge `of the card reaches said position the detector pin 06 of one of the groups of sensing pins will also reach the stage in the revolution of the Wheel 33 where it will either engage the card 6| between its leading edge and the first or #11 index point position or, in the case where said card may not have been properly fed to said sensing position, will not contact the card. In the latter instance, the detector pin |06 will not be forced inwardly and thus will fail to enter the aligned notch ||2 of the detector slide |01. Therefore, the llatter slide will be urged to the left, as Viewed in Figs. '1 to 9, by its spring ||3 so that its projected end will enter the cut away portion ||9 of the cam I4 which is directly opposite the sensing position. This movement of the detector slide |01 aligns its recess ||6 withthe recesses ||5 of the other slides |08 so that the bail I1 will enter all said recesses and thereby prevent any subsequent selective operation of the slides |08 while they are passing through said sensing position and until again brought into operative association with a properly fed card during a subsequent revolution of the sensing unit. The movement of the detector slide |01 performs no other function than that just described since, unlike the selector slides |08, it is not in opposed relation to any of the latches |5| While the sensing and timing units are passing through the sensing position. When the detector pin |06 encounters a properly fed card, said pin will be forced inwardly and engage `in its aligned notch ||2 in the slide |01, thus locking said slide against movement and leaving the slides |08 free for a selecting operation. When the sensing pin |05 individual to one of said slides |08 passes through a punched index point, said slide is permitted to move outwardly at the sensing position since it will not be locked against such movement by its pin |05. On the other hand, engagement of a pin |05 with an imperforate index point causes said pin to lock its slide |08 against movement.

At the instant of the outward movement of a released slide |08, the same has reached the position where it is directly opposed to the latch |5| of the group passing through the sensing position which is individual to the actuated slide |08 and to the punched index point of the card. The outward movement of the slide |08, which is now free of the cam ||4, projects its latch |5| outwardly to its operative position where the lug |53 on said latch will be disposed in the plane of the opening |48 in its associated cam |46. In Fig. 9, the group of latches |08 of the sensing unit A are shown just prior to the instant when one of said slides is actuated and, for purposes of clarity in illustration, said slides are shown spaced a considerable distance from the associated latches |5| of the right hand group although,'actually,

With the sensing and timing units rotating in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows, the various slides |08 of the group shown in Fig.

9 as passing through the sensing position will be directly opposed to their corresponding latches during an interval of movement of the two units which is sufcient to permit any one of said slides to operate its latch. It will be assumed that the second slide |08 shown in Fig. 9 is about to be released due to the corresponding sensing pin |05 entering a hole at the second or #0 index point on the card. As soon as this occurs,

said slide will be projected outwardly by its spring H3, causing the second latch |5| to also move outwardly to its operative position. At this time, the shanks |49 of the group of cams 46 at the right of said gure have been raised by the cam surface |51 and are now engaged with the surface |58, thereby raising the cam heads I41`so that their openings |48 are positioned to permit free linear movement of the selected latch |5| when it is actuated by its slide |08. The result of this operation is shown in the group of cams at the left wherein it will -be observed that the second latch |5| is now in its 'projected position where -its lug |53 is in the plane of the opening |48 in the second cam head I 41 and the outer edge of said opening is resting on said lug. Therefore, the second cam 46 will be held in its operated position while the remaining cams of the group having no lugs |53 thereunder will recede toward their inner or inoperative positions under the inuence of their springs |50 as the shanks |49 of said cams move over and disengage Vfrom the cam surface |58. After performing its selecting operation, the projected slide |08, upon continued rotation of the unit A, will engage the cam surface of the stationary cam ||4 and thus be.

restored to normal thereby, and held in such position by said cam until the group of slides has again reached the sensing position opposite the opening ||9 in said cam ||4. Likewise, the operated cam |46 in the group illustrated will be held by its latch in the operative position thereof until the card distributing function is accomplished and said group is again approaching thel sensing position.y Ai; this time, the outer end of the projected latch |5| encounters the cam |80 and is restored to normal thereby, with the result that the lug |53 of said latch will release its operated cam |46, and the latter will be returned to normal by its spring |50 to againbe controlled by the cam |55.

As the described group of cams |46 continues its movement from the sensing positionA following the operation of a latch |5|, and the analyzed card is fed from said position to the conveyor system Dl by the series of rollers 63 to 68 (Fig. 3),

the timed 'relation between this movement and that of the timing unit is such that the operated cam |46 of said group reaches the dotted line position in Fig. 9 at the moment that the card is passing over the first pocket 34 and is approaching the entrance to the second or #0 pocket for which the card is destined. The action which then takes place under the control of said cam |46 and that results in the deposit of said card into the pocket 35, will be later described.

Distributing mechanism 'I'his mechanism comprises a stationary framework consisting of inner and outer arcuate plates |82 and |63 of substantially semi-circular formation which extend partially about the timing unit (see Fig. 5). Said plates are supported in position by a series of three bolts |64 having their inner ends secured in the adjacent side plate 3| (Fig. 7), and are vertically aligned. respectively, with the inner plate |43 and the outer segmental plates |44 of said timing unit. Beginning with the upper right hand extremities of the two plates |62, |83. as viewed in Fig. 5, there are mounted therein eleven equidistantly spaced rocker shafts |65 to |15 each individual to one of the pockets 34 to 44, respectively. The rocker shafts are, with respect to their numerical order, of progressively increasing length, as will be noted from Fig. 7, and the inner end of each shaft has secured thereto one end of an arm |16 the other end of which (Fig. 9) carries a stud |11 engageable in a recess |18 in the periphery of a pocket control member in the form of an oscillatory disc |19 individual to one of the card pockets and to one of the cams |48 in each of the twelve groups comprising the timing unit. the disc shown in Fig. 9 being assigned to the second pocket 35 and to the second cams |46 of said various groups. The eleven discs |18 are mounted for oscillatory movement on a fixed bearing through which the shaft 90 extends, sald shaft thus providing a common mounting for the various pocket control members |19 and the timing unit. The vdiscs |19 are guided by combs |8|, one of which extends through an angular opening |82 in each disc so that the oscillatory movements of al1 the discs will be limited by engagement of the edges of said opening with said comb. Said discs arefurther provided in their peripherles with normally aligned recesses |83 for receiving the studs |84 projecting from the sides of a series of eleven operating links |85 each connecting its disc to the pocket individual thereto. Thus, as best shown in Fig. 2, the outermost disc |19 is operatively connected to the iirst pocket 34, the next outermost disc (the one illustrated in Fig. 9) to the second pocket 35, and so on. A coil spring |88 is connected to the end of each link |85 adjacent its disc for yieldingly retaining said element in its normal position and for restoring the same and its associated rocket shaft |65, etc., to said position at the conclusion of each card distributing operation under control of one of the cams |46. The links |85 increase in length from the pocket 34 to the pocket 44 but otherwise are of the same construction and operate similarly. At the end of each link opposite the spring |88, the same is connected by an arm |81 to a rocket shaft |88 journaled in the side rails |89 (Fig. 2) and extending transversely over its associated pocket. 'I'he shaft |88 is actuated by the linear movement of its link |85 to open the pocket for the entrance of a card. as will later appear.

'I'he means for rocking each of the various shafts |65 to |15 comprises a series of eleven adjustable tripping units. each generally indicated at |80, mounted on each of said shafts, and each unitis individual to one of the cams |46 of each of the twelve groups included in the timing unit. Thus, the tripping unit shown in Fig. 9 is individual to the second innermost cam, which has been actuated and is about to operate said unit as shown in dotted lines, and also to all the second cams of the' remaining groups. As will presently be set forth in detail, when accomplishing what is generally known as a straight 13 `made operative on each of the eleven shafts |66 to |15, while all other units are adjusted to inoperative positions. However, in split or selective sorting, two or more different units |90, according to the number of index points in any preselected combination, are made operative on any one of the shafts |66 to |16 depending upon which one of the pockets is to be utilized in collecting, during a single sorting operation, those cards containing the punched index points of said combination. Further, it is possible with the present construction, and also during a single sorting operation, to preselect two or `more combinations of index points by adjusting to operative position on two or more diiferent shafts, the proper units |90 corresponding to the index points of each combination. In so doing, the cards having punched index points of each of the combinations are sorted into the different pockets individual to the rocker shafts on which said combinations have been set up.

Each of the tripping units |90 comprises a T- shaped member |9| loosely supported, at one of its extremities, on its rocker shaft such as the shaft |65 in Fig. 9, while the opposite extremity carries a roller |92 adapted for contact with and movement by the operated cam |46 when said unit is made operative. The right angular extension. |93 of said member carries two guide pins |94 (see also Fig. 5) which project through slots |95 formed in an adjusting slide |96 to guide the latter along said extension and to maintain the slide in such frictional contact with the extension that said slide will remain in either of its adjusted positions. the slide |96 intermediate its ends is a lug |91 which,"in the operative position of the'slide, is adapted to cause a turning movement of the shaft |66 in the direction of the arrow in the following manner. A rocking frame is carried by the rocker shaft and is common to all the units |90 thereon. Said frame includes .two arms |90 (see Fig. 2 for the other arm) secured to the shaft exteriorly of the group of units |90, and said arms are joined by the rod |99 which extends across said units. When the lug |91 is in its operative position, the rod |99 is in the path of movement of. said lug as the member |9| is rocked relative to the shaft |66 by contact of the cam |46 with the roller |92 as said cam proceeds in its movement from the dotted line position of Fig. 9. The lug |91 will therefore swing the rocking frame which, being fixed to said shaft |66, will turn the latter in the proper direction. Restoration of said shaft and its frame, after disengagement of the cam |46 from the roller |92, is effected by the return movement of the link |65 under the influence of its spring v |66. When it is desired to' adjust any unit |99 out of operative association with its cams |96, it is only necessary to pull the slide |96 outwardlyv to its dotted line position, thereby removing the lug |91 to an offset position relative to the rod |99 so that any movement of the member 19| about the' shaft |66 will not result in a contact of thelug |91 with the rod |99 and consequent operation of the rocking frame.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that each shaft |88 is rocked, by the actuation of the disc |19 connected to said shaft, in timed relation with the engagement of an operated cam |46 with an operative unit |90 on the rocker shaft to which said disc is individual. The rocking of said shaft |88 forces'downwardly, from normally raised positions, two pressure members 969 in the form of arms fixed on said shaft and Projecting from one edge of each having its free end provided with a projection 20|. The operated position of the arms 200 is shown in Fig. with respect to the second pocket 35 which is the one to receive the card whose analysis was set forth in connection with the description of Fig. 9. Each of the pockets 34 to 44, inclusive, is provided withtwo deiiectors 202 secured to the left wall of the pocket in vertical alignment with the arms 200. The horizontal disposed upper end 203 of each defiector acts as a support for the cards as they travel along above the pockets under control of the lugs 69 on the conveyor belts 65, and also has attached to the under surface thereof a resilient, normally horizontal, closure member 204 for the next pocket succeeding that one in which the defiector is disposed. Thus, the closure members 204 overlying a portion of the pocket 36 are carried by the defiectors 202 located in the pocket 34,'and so on. Said members 204 also provide additional support for the cards as they are conveyed over the pockets. l

When the arms 200 of the pocket 35 are depressed, whichoccurs as the card 6| shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 is passing over the pocket .34 and approaching said pocket 35, the projections 'of said arms contact the resilient ciosurcs 204 for the latter pocket and flex the same downwardly to the position shown. Then the leading edge of the card cont-acts and passes under the free ends of the arms 200 and the card is thereby stripped, by positive action, from the conveyor belts 55 and diverted downwardly into the upper end of the pocket where said leading edge contacts the inclined portions of the deflectors 202 and finally comes to rest on top of the platform 41. In addition to the described functions of the arms 200, it will be apparent that should -a card, as it approaches the pocket for which it is destined, be so positioned, when carried along by the conveyor, that its leading edge is not exactly at right angles to the direction of its travel, the then leading portion of said edge Straight sorting operation When preparing the machine for a straight sorting operation in which each card having a punched index point in thecolumn thereof being analyzed is directed to the pocket individual to said point, only one of the units on each of the eleven rocker shafts |65 to |15 is made operative, and the ten remaining units on each of said shafts are disabled by pulling out the slides thereof. On the shaft |65, individual to the first pocket 34, the innermost unit |90 thereon is made operative so that it will be actuated by any one of the innermost cams |46 of the various groups in the timing mechanism that has been selected and held projected by its latch |5|, while the remaining units |90 on said shaft are all made inoperative so that they will be incapable of rocking said shaft when contacted by operated cams |46 in the various groups as they successively pass the shaft during rotation of the timing unit. Therefore said shaft |65 will be rockedV to open the first pocket 34 so as to receive any card whose #11 index point position is punched, only when one .of4

the innermost cams |46 has been projected out- 15 wardly and held thusly by its operated latch controlled by the sensing unit. In the same manner, for the deposit into pocket 35 of a card whose #0 index point is punched, only the next innermost unit |90 on the shaft |66 shown in Fig. 9 is made operative, and all other units on said shaft are disabled. Similar adjustments on the remaining rocker shafts |61 to |15 are effected in a manner now understood, with the result that each card will be deposited into its respective pocket in accordance with the valuation of the punched index point in the column thereof being analyzed, and with the further result that any card containing no perforation in said column will be conveyed to the reject pocket 48v whose deilectors 205 (Fig. l) have their upper ends extended above the plane of travel of the cards so as to guide them into said pocket.

Selective sorting operation This method of sorting, as distinguished from straight sorting, involves an operation in which a plurality of cards containing amongst them a preselected group of differently punched index points, is sorted out during a single run of the machine. As hereinbefore stated, certain known machines are only capable of grouping such cards by either gathering all the desired ones inthe reject pocket, or by sorting them into a number of different pockets equal to the number of index points in the preselected group; and further, such machines can accomplish the sorting of only one such groupl of cards during a single run.`

As distinguished from the above methods, the present machine is capable of depositing all cards containing the desired group of index points into any one of the pockets which is individual torone of the index points included in said group, or into any other kpocket of the machine, while either depositing all other cards into the reject pocket or sorting them into their respective pockets. Additionally, it is possible to preselect two or more different groups of index points and, during a single sorting operation, gather all cards of each group into a different pocket.

The above functions are accomplished in the following manner. It will be first assumed that it is desired to sort into pocket 35 all cards whose punched index points comprise the group of the three identifying characters or numbers 0, 2, and 4, and that it is further desired to deposit all other cards into the reject pocket including those having no perforations in the column being analyzed. 0n the shaft |66 individual to the pocket 35, the second, fourth and sixth innermost units |90 corresponding to the 0, 2 and 4 index point positions are made operative, and all other units on the said shaft and on the remaining ten shafts |65 and |61 to |15 are disabled. With this set up, it becomes apparent from the foregoing description that each time any one of the three operative units |90 is tripped by an operated cam |46 in any one of the twelve groups with which said unit is circumferentially aligned, the shaft |66 will bev rocked to open the pocket 35 and all cards punched with the desired and preselected comananas is attained. With only one of the pockets capable of being opened to receive the desired cards, the remaining cards, even though they m-ay be punched at index point positions other than those included in said group, will pass over all the pockets 34 to 44 and enter the reject pocket 45 in their original sequence. This takes place notwithstanding the fact that one or more of the cams |46 individual to said other index pointpositions may be projected to operative position by the sensing unit, for when said operated cams engage the disabled units |90 on the various shafts the latter are not' rocked and consequently their pockets are not opened. Now, should it be desired to sort the remaining cards instead of directing them to the reject pocket, it is only necessary to render operative one unit |90 on each of the shafts |65, and |61 ,to |15 just as described in connection with the straight'sorting operation.

' Assume now that two groups of preselected index points are to be sorted during a single run u of the machine, and for simplicity of description, let one of the groups be the one above described and another be the combination including the index points 1, 3, 5 and 6. After setting up the first of said groups in the manner described, the second one is prepared by making operative the third, fifth, seventh and eighth innermost units |90 on either one of the shafts |61, |69,- |1| or |12, and the remaining units |90 on the selected shaft and those on all the remaining shafts are disabled. The sensed cards containing the groups of index points will now be sorted into the two pockets individual to the selected shafts and all other cards will enter the-reject pocket, or be straight sorted if the proper set-up is made on the remaining shafts, as previously described. It will be further seen that one or two additional groups may be made up from the remaining index points 11, 7, 8 and 9, or these points may be separately sorted by following the same procedure as above outlined in connection with straight sort- From the foregoing description, it is observed that the multiplicity of adjustments of which the machine is capablerenders it universal with respect to both straight and selective sorting.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sorter, a sensing means, a plurality of pockets into which cards are selectively deposited in conformity with the analysis of the cards by I said sensing means, a rotary timing unit common to'said pockets. said unit including a plurality of actuating members having operative association with said sensing means for selection thereby and each individual to one of said pockets and to an index point of the cards being sensed, a shaft about which said unit rotates, oscillatory members each individual to one of said pockets and supported upon and movable about said shaft as an axis, each of said oscillatory members having operative connection with one of said actuating members, and means connecting each oscillatory member with its pocket so as to open the same when said member is operated by a selected one of said actuating members.

2. In asorter, sensing elements, a plurality of pockets into which sensed cards are deposited, selectively operated means controlled by said sensing elements, a movable timing unit includ.

pockets. operating means for moving said actuannesse ating members in unison to selective position and immediately restoring those members not selected, a. plurality of trip members each individual to one of said pockets and each operable by a selected one of said actuating members, and means controlled by an operated trip member for opening its corresponding pocket.

3. In a sorter, sensing elements, a plurality o pockets into which sensed cards are deposited, selectively operated means controlled by said sensing elements, a rotary timing unit including a framework and a plurality of actuating members supported therein for movement relative thereto for selection by said selectively operated means and each individual to one of said pockets, operating means for moving said actuating members in unison to a selective position and immediately restoring those members not select,- ed, a plurality of trip members each individual to one of said pockets arranged in angularly spaced relation about said timing unit and each operable by a selected one of said actuating members, a plurality of pocket control members each connected to one of said trip members for operation thereby to open the pocket corresponding thereto, .and a shaft upon which said operating means, said timing unit and said pocketcontro members are mounted.

4. In a sorter, a sensing means, a plurality of pockets for receiving sensed cards, a movable timing unit including a plurality `of actuating members having operative association with said sensing means for selection thereby and each individual to one of said pockets, a plurality of groups of trip members arranged about vsaid timing unit and adjustable relative to said actuating members, the members of each group being each individual to a different one of said pockets, means to adjust any one of the trip members of the several groups which is individual to one of said pockets into operative relation to a selected actuating member for actuation thereby, and means controlled by the actuation of said trip member for opening said pocket.

5. In a sorter, a sensing means, a plurality of pockets for receiving sensed cards, a movable tlming unit including a plurality of actuating members having operative association with said sensing means for selection thereby and each individual toene of said pockets, a plurality of groups of trip members arranged about said timing unit and adjustable relative to said actuating members, the members of each group being each individual to a different one of said pockets, means to adjust any one of the trip members of the several groups which is individual to one of said pockets into operative relation to a selected acative connections between each control member and its pocket.

6. In a sorter. a sensing means, a plurality of pockets for receiving sensed cards, a movable timing unit including a` plurality of actuating members having operative association with said sensing means for selection thereby and each individual to one of said sprockets, a plurality of groups of trip members arranged about said timing unit and adjustable relative to said actuating members, the members of each group being each individual to a different one of said pockets, means to adjust any one of the trip members of the several groups which is individual to one of said pockets into operative relation to a selected actuating member for actuation thereby, a plurality of pocket control members each operatively connected to a group oi said trip members and each individual to one of said pockets, operative connections between each control member and its pocket, and a common mounting for said timing unit and said pocket control members,

7. In a sorter, a sensing means, a. plurality of pockets into which sensed cards are deposited, a rotating timing unit including a plurality of actuating cams supported for radial movement thereon and each individual to one of said pockets, cam selecting means controlled by said sensing means, means to periodically associate said cams with said selecting means-by moving the vsame radially in unison in one direction for selection of one of said cams, means to thereupon move the other cams in opposite radial direction, a plurality of trip members each individual to one of said pockets and to one of said cams vand operated by the latter following selection thereof by said sensing means, and means controlled by the operation of said trip members to open the respective pockets.

8. In a sorter, a sensing means, a plurality of pockets into which sensed cards are deposited, a rotating timing unit including a plurality of actuating cams slidably supported for radial movement thereon and each individual to one of said pockets, cam selecting means controlled by said sensing means, means to periodically move said cams in one direction to associate the same with said selecting means for selection .of one of said cams, means to thereupon move the other cams in an opposite direction, a plurality of trip members each individual to one of said pockets and to one of said cams and operated by the latter following selection thereof by said sensing means, and a plurality of oscillatory pocket control members each individual to one of said pockets and operatively connected to one of said trip members for actuation thereby to open the corresponding pocket.

9. In a sorter, a sensing means, a plurality of pockets into which sensed cards are deposited, a rotating timing unit including a plurality of actuating cams slidably supported for radial movement thereon and each individual to one of said pockets, cam selecting means controlled by said sensing means, means to periodically slide said cams in one direction to associate the same with selecting means for selection of one of said cams, means to thereupon move the other cams in an opposite direction, a plurality of trip members each individual to one of said pockets and to one of said came and operated by the latter following selection thereof by said sensing means, and a plurality of oscillatory pocket control members having a common center of oscillation about the axis of rotation of said timing unit and each individual to one of said pockets and operatively connected to one of said trip members for actuation thereby to open the corresponding pocket.

l0. In a distributing mechanism for card sorting machines wherein the cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of pockets, a shaft, a timing unit rotating thereon, a stationary supporting frame extending about said timing unit and including a plurality of Acircumferentially arranged rocker shafts, a plurality of selectively controlled actuating members forming part of said timing unit and each individual to one of said pockets, a plurality of oscillatory pocket 19 control members on said shaft. an operating connection between each of said rocket shafts and one of said oscillatory members, and a. trip member on each rocket shaft individual to and operated by a selected one of said actuating members.

11. In a. distributing mechanism for card sorting machines wherein the cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of pockets, a shaft. a timing unit rotating thereon. a stationary supporting frame extending about said timing unit and including a plurality of circumferentially arranged rocker shafts, groups of selectively controlled actuating members forming part of said timing unit, each group having members thereof each individual to one oi said pockets, a plurality of oscillatory members mounted on said shaft and each individual to one of said pockets, an operating connection between each of said rocker shafts and one of said oscillatory members, and a plurality of trip members on each rocker shaft, each movable thereon into operative association with one of said actuating members in each of said groups.

12. In a distributing mechanism for card sorting machines wherein the cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of pockets, a shaft, a timing unit rotating thereon, a stationary supporting frame extending about said timing unit and including a plurality of circumferentially arranged rocker shafts, a plurality of selectively controlled actuating members forming part of said timing unit and each individual to one of said pockets, a plurality of oscillatory pocket control members on said shaft, an operating connection between each of said rocker shafts and one ofsaid oscillatory members, a trip member on each rocker shaft individual to and operated by a selected one of said actuating members, said trip members being linearly spaced on said rocker shafts relative tov each other.

13. In a sorter, rotatable sensing means movable through a sensing position and including a detector pin and a plurality of sensing pins for analyzing cards during transitory movement through said position, mechanism responsive to said sensing pins for distributing cards after being sensed, a movable control element operatively associated with said detector pin for ensagement thereby to lock said element against movement when said pin contacts a card at said sensing position, means responsive to the failure of said pin to engage a card to move said con- Vtrol element, and means activated by the movement of said control element to prevent said mechanism from responding to said sensing pins.

14. In a sorter, sensing means movable through a sensing position and including a rotating wheel, a detector pin and a plurality of sensing pins arranged circumferentlally about said wheel, a selecting mechanism including a plurality of slides each individual to one ofsaid pins and provided with means engageable by its pin when the latter contacts a. card to prevent movement of the slide, and means controlled by a movement of the slide individual to said detector pin for locking all said slides should the latter pin fail to engage a card at said sensing position.

15. In a sorter, sensing means including a rotating wheel, a vdetector pin and a plurality of'sensing pins arranged circumferentially about said wheel, a selecting mechanism including a, plurality of slides each individual to one of said pins, all ,said slides having circumferentially aligned notches therein for receiving said pins when they engage a card, the slides individual to said sensing pins having circumferentially aligned recesses therein and the slide individual to said detector pin having a recess normally offset from said aligned recesses, means to shift the latter slide to align its recess with the other recesses when said detector pin fails to engage a card, a common bail for said slides held out of said recesses by said latter slide when its recess is oi!- set, and means to urge said bail into the recesses of said sensing and detector slides when said recesses are all aligned.

16. In a sorter, a sensing means, a selecting mechanism controlled by said sensing means and including a plurality of slides each individual to an index point in a card column and each movable when a, hole is sensed at its corresponding index point, a plurality of latching bars each actuated tolatching position by one of said slides when it is moved, an actuating cam associated with each of said bars and having operative and inoperative positions. means to move said cams to operative position in timed relation to the actuation of said bars so that the cam individual to an actuated bar will be latched in its operative position, means to then restore the remaining cams to inoperative position, a plurality of card-receiving pockets each individual to one o f said cams, and means operated by the latched cam to open the corresponding pocket.

17. In a sorter,'a, continuously rotating sensing means, a plurality of pockets into which cards are selectively deposited in conformity with the analysis of the cards by said sensing means, a shaft, a single timing unit rotatable about said shaft and common to all said pockets, said unit including a plurality of actuating members arranged side by side along said shaft and radially slidabie with respect thereto to positions of selection and each individual to one of said pockets, means to so move said actuating members, means controlled by said sensing means to select one of said actuating members after it has been radially moved, and means controlled by the selected member for .opening one of said pockets.

18. In a sorter, a rotatable sensing means, a plurality of pockets into which cards are selectively deposited in conformity with the analysis of the cards by said sensing means, a single rotary timing unit common to said pockets and including a plurality of actuating members rotating with said unit into periodic proximity to said sens-A ing means and also movable radially with respect to the axis of rotation of said unit, means to radially move said actuating members, means to rotate said sensing means and timing unit in opposite directions, means controlled by said sensing means to select one of said actuating members after it has been radially moved, and means controlled by the selected member for opening one of said pockets.

19. In a sorter wherein cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of pockets, a shaft, a timing unit rotating about said shaft and including a group of selectable actuating members movable with respect to the rotation of said unit from normal positions and each individual to one of said pockets for controlling the opening thereof, means to periodically move said group of members to selective position. means to select one of the members at said position, means thereupon means'thereafter controlled by the selected mem` ber for opening its associated pocket.

augen 2u. En a sorter wherein cards are sensed and distributed inte a plurality of pockets, a shaft, a timing unit rotating about said shaft and including a group of selectable actuating members movable with respect to the rotation of said unit from normal positions and each individual to one of said pockets for controlling the opening thereof, a cam operable to periodically and simultaneously move all the members of said group from normal to a selective position, means to select one of the members at said position, means cooperating with said cam to thereupon restore to normal all said members not selected, and means thereafter controlled by the selected member for opening its associated pocket.`

21. In asorter wherein cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of pockets, a shaft, a timing unit rotating about said shaft and including a group of selectable actuating members reciprocatingly mounted in said unit and each individual to one of said pockets for controlling the opening thereof, means to periodically move said group of members as a unit in one direction to selective position, a group of sliding latches associated with said group of actuating members and vhaving interposing movements transverse thereto, means responsive to the sensing of a card to oper- A ate one of said latches to engage and retain one of said actuating members in its selective position until the pocket individual thereto has been opened, and means controlled by the selected member for opening its associated pocket.

22. In a distributing mechanism for card sorting machines wherein the cards are sensed and distributed into a plurality of'pockets, a. sensingmeans, a timing unit comprising a group of selectively controlled actuating members having aligned openings and movable as a group from ing a lug thereon individual to one of said actuating members and movable with its latch into engagement with its actuating member to sup-- port the latter in its operative position when said latch is operated by said sensing means, and means responsive to said actuating member for opening one of said pockets.

KARL J. BRAUN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,298,971 Lasker Apr. 1, 1919 1,315,370 Lasker Sept. 9, 1919 1,432,345 Lasker Oct. 17, 1922 1,449,078 Whittlesey Mar. 20, 1923 1,502,993 Lasker July 29, 1924 1,716,677 Wyllie June 11, 1929 1,717,858 Thomas June 18, 1929 1,741,992 Kleckler Dec. 31, 1929 1,767,207 Gale June 24, 1930 1,943,940 Macadie Jan. 18, 1934 2,059,265 Myers Nov. 3, 1936 2,076,700 Bryce Apr. 13, 1937 2,165,251 Gifford July 11, 1939 2,230,680 Ford Feb. 4, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 375,189 Germany May9, 1923 so move said group, an associated group of sliding latches operated by said sensing means and extending through said openings, each latch hav- 

